[imc-auckland-video] NZ HERALD "Banks Hubbard and Fletcher question each other" 30-9-04 Dick Hubbard on GE-Free Zones

[Kim Mazur]

NZ HERALD  "Banks Hubbard and Fletcher question each other"   30-9-04
Dick Hubbard on GE-Free Zones

"BANKS, HUBBARD AND FLETCHER QUESTION EACH OTHER"
NZ HERALD  30-9-04

The Herald asked the three main Auckland mayoral contenders - John
Banks, Dick Hubbard and Christine Fletcher - to put each other on the
spot with five searching questions. Here are the results for each
candidate.

[....]

Questions from Christine Fletcher to Dick Hubbard:

1) What is the formal position of your company and status of your
products on GE-free food and environment, given your stated opposition
to Auckland City becoming Auckland GE-free for food and environment?

We do not have any GE ingredients in any of our cereal products and we
have a very rigorous policy that we will not allow GE ingredients into
our products. All of our cereals are GE-free We take very considerable
care to trace through all ingredients even the very minor ones to ensure
that they are from GE-free sources.

I do have to question, however, the wisdom of Auckland City adopting a
GE-free status. There are three considered reasons for this. The first
one is that we cannot stop legal GE material crossing the borders or
lack of borders into Auckland City. This is particularly true of course
with GE medicines. Secondly, even the Greens do not oppose GE medical
research and medical products and, therefore, it would be quite wrong
and improper to say that these should not be allowed in Auckland City.
Thirdly, we do want to encourage high technology industries such as
medical research and medical products and these industries are better
for Auckland City than the traditional smoke stack industries. It is
important that we do not send messages that would steer off some of
these Companies that are working in the biotechnology area even though a
lot of this work is totally non GE related.

[....]

another question by Dick Hubbard- to Christine Fletcher- note her
sarcastic answer!

HUBBARD
5) What job will you take up if you don't become Mayor?

FLETCHER
Patronising question - I am focused on winning this campaign but I am
developing an interest in producing GE Free cereal.


full article below


Banks, Hubbard, and Fletcher question each other
NZ HERALD
30.09.2004


The Herald asked the three main Auckland mayoral contenders - John
Banks, Dick Hubbard and Christine Fletcher - to put each other on the
spot with five searching questions. Here are the results for each
candidate.

DICK HUBBARD

Questions from John Banks

1) I stand for a debt-free City with any rate rises kept below
inflation. Do you, if not why not?

A debt-free City is a good thing to be but we must remember that the
present administration have achieved that by selling Airport shares and
by selling pensioners houses. Most of the silver has now been sold and
there is very little silver left to sell. Anyone can make an
organisation debt-free by selling assets but the only problem is that
eventually the supply of assets runs out. Secondly, one should note that
Auckland is just one of three Councils out of approximately 73 Councils
in New Zealand that is debt-free. Most Councils use a modest amount of
debt to finance infrastructure projects. They all operate within
conservative and well-recognised international guidelines for Councils.
Businesses use debt as a means of funding business development and I
have no problems with the prudent use of debt if necessary to fund
needed infrastructure development. I certainly would not allow the use
of debt to fund operational activities or to subsidise rates for
standard services.

2) I practice action-based leadership aimed at getting results. What
exactly do you mean by listening leadership and how will listening
leadership help move Auckland forward?

I also believe in action-based leadership aimed at getting results and
we do not differ on that point. However, listening is, in my opinion, an
essential part of action-based leadership. It does not necessarily slow
the making of decisions down but it certainly does increase the quality
of the decisions. Listening leadership is not about compromise and it is
not about soft, woolly decision making. It is the style of leadership
practiced by all successful business leaders and all successful
political leaders. It is the exact opposite of Napoleonic or Muldoonist
style of leadership where decisions are made by one person in isolation
and without noting input from other parties who can help the quality of
the decision.

3) You say you are committed to building the downscaled Eastern
Transport Corridor, yet an anti-Eastern Corridor ginger group has
endorsed you. Where will your allegiances lie?

I have not asked the Hobson Action Group to endorse me and their
decision to endorse me was theirs and theirs alone. I have no allegiance
to any political grouping such as C&R, City Vision, or Action Hobson and
I give an absolute commitment to work with any groups that will be on
the new Council in such a way as to produce the best quality decisions
to the maximum benefit of the people of Auckland City.

4) You say that Auckland needs a London-style underground rail system.
How will Auckland ratepayers pay for this $40 billion promise?

I have never ever said that Auckland needs a $40 billion London-style
underground rail system. All I said in one of my speeches was that 120
years ago when London was a City that is smaller than Auckland today
then those charged with the governance of London City then started the
work on their underground system. It has then grown as London has grown
and is still being developed today 120 years later. That is an example
of visionary thinking and Cities that have shown vision have
categorically reaped the rewards. We have to imagine Auckland City in 50
years time and we have to lay the foundations for such a City now so
that future generations will not inherit an ungovernable and unworkable
City.

5) I have worked with the C & R Now councilors and two independent
councilors to create an effective majority and team on council. Which
group(s) of councilors do you favour working closely with ? City Vision
or C & R Now?

I will work with any groups of councilors to obtain the best quality
governance practice on Auckland City Council. I am totally opposed to
undisclosed deals and non-transparent arrangements. Sir James Fletcher
once famously said that he told his senior executives that they should
operate on the principle that anything they said or did could appear on
the front pages of the newspaper the following day. If they felt
uncomfortable about the details of a deal or arrangement appearing on
the front page of the newspapers then they shouldn't enter into it.
There are, of course, commercial confidences but that's a separate
issue. I totally subscribe to that style of open, honest and transparent
management.

Questions from Christine Fletcher

1) What is the formal position of your company and status of your
products on GE-free food and environment, given your stated opposition
to Auckland City becoming Auckland GE-free for food and environment?

We do not have any GE ingredients in any of our cereal products and we
have a very rigorous policy that we will not allow GE ingredients into
our products. All of our cereals are GE-free We take very considerable
care to trace through all ingredients even the very minor ones to ensure
that they are from GE-free sources.

I do have to question, however, the wisdom of Auckland City adopting a
GE-free status. There are three considered reasons for this. The first
one is that we cannot stop legal GE material crossing the borders or
lack of borders into Auckland City. This is particularly true of course
with GE medicines. Secondly, even the Greens do not oppose GE medical
research and medical products and, therefore, it would be quite wrong
and improper to say that these should not be allowed in Auckland City.
Thirdly, we do want to encourage high technology industries such as
medical research and medical products and these industries are better
for Auckland City than the traditional smoke stack industries. It is
important that we do not send messages that would steer off some of
these Companies that are working in the biotechnology area even though a
lot of this work is totally non GE related.

2) Did you, your business or any of the organisations you represent make
submissions or representations to the 20 year visioning process for
Auckland as part of Auckland Citys strategic vision, First City of the
Pacific 2000 or the Long Term Community Plan 2003/2004?

My business did not make representations to the 20 year visioning
process for Auckland City as my business in located in Manukau City and,
therefore, it would have been totally inappropriate to have made such a
submission. Secondly, I do not actually represent any of the
organisations that I am associated with and I am but one member of a
committee in each case. Therefore, I do not have any delegated authority
from any of the organisations I am with to make submissions on Auckland
Citys strategic vision. All of the organisations I am associated with
are national organisations with activities covering the whole of New
Zealand.

3) How would you address the volumes of cars exiting the Eastern highway
once they get into the already congested central city and what is your
opinion of the social/environmental and economic issues?

Firstly, we have to understand that the Eastern motorway will make it
easier for existing cars to get into the City. It will also make it
easier for existing traffic to get to the eastern suburbs. At the
moment, residents of Pakuranga, Botany and Howick can take up to 1 hour
to get into the City and many of them are using residential streets not
designed for through traffic as they try and wend their way through the
streets of Glen Innes, St Heliers and Mission Bay in sometimes a
desperate attempt to get to Tamaki Drive and then into the City.
Significant volumes of trucks are now using residential streets which
are not designed for truck traffic and this is causing damage to the
streets and congestion and noise problems.

Secondly, part of the rational for the corridor is to strength the rail
links which are an integral part of the corridor and which will make it
considerably easier to have high speed train access to Auckland City as
well. However, I reiterate that I still want to see a full cost benefit
analysis for the roading component of the Eastern corridor. The June
2000 report to the Transport Committee, in my opinion, leaves as many
questions unanswered as it does provide answers and it does not stack up
as adequate justification for a project of this magnitude.

4) Do you consider the Auckland International Airport of strategic
importance to tourism in Auckland? If so, why have you publicly stated
that you would sell the city's airport shares?

Auckland International Airport is undoubtedly of strategic importance to
tourism in the whole of Auckland and not just Auckland City. However,
the Port of Auckland and the downtown waterfront area is of greater
strategic importance because it is in the heart of the City. Therefore,
I would be happy to trade the strategic Airport shares for more control
in the downtown waterfront area, which I believe, is of greater and more
direct strategic importance to Auckland City. I also note that holding
the Auckland Airport shares and having a financial interest in Auckland
Airport makes it difficult to be objective about any debate of Whenupai
as a second airport. Finally, I also note that Auckland City does not
have a Director on the Board of Auckland Airport Ltd and therefore has
no strategic control or influence over this investment. I will not under
any circumstances at all support the sale of Auckland Airport shares to
subsidise rates or day to day activities of Council.

5) As a business man interested in governance and inclusive leadership
do you support the decision of outgoing Council last month lead by
Councillors Hay and Hucker to appoint a new CEO for August 2005, denying
an incoming Council to appoint a CEO most suited to execute the policies
of a newly elected Council and would you seek Council support to review
this decision?

I totally and categorically support the decision of the outgoing Council
to appoint the new Chief Executive for Auckland City. I totally believe
that this has to be a non political appointment and I am more than happy
that the appointment process was rigorous using an outside search
Company, outside well respected Consultants and business advisors such
as Jeff Todd and that the process was carried at in an open and
transparent manner. Furthermore, I believe that it would have been
totally unfair on the high calibre candidates if the process was
suddenly stalled at the final stages for three months until a new
Council was bedded in. I will have no problem working with any Chief
Executive of Auckland City and I believe that it is political nonsense
to try and interfere in the selection process for such an important
position. We cannot play political games on such an important issue as
this.


JOHN BANKS

Questions from Christine Fletcher

1) Why did you in 2001 cancel the plans for above ground light rail
(trams) to connect Britomart, Queen St, universities, hospital,
Newmarket and Western Line?

The region - not Auckland City alone - cancelled the light rail Option
2A plan in July 2002 because it didn't stack up compared to other
options either on cost or patronage. Work by Auckland City, the Mayoral
Forum, the Regional Council and others found that a better option was to
upgrade existing heavy rail and improve bus connections, saving $2
billion on what Option 2A would have costed ratepayers.

2) Why have you introduced a more punitive form of rating which greatly
increases the financial burden on people with fixed incomes,
particularly senior citizens?

In the last three years we have kept overall rate rises within the rate
of inflation. Auckland has had the lowest overall rate increases of any
city in New Zealand. We have introduced uniform annual general charges
which have evened out rate rises which were set to hit many ratepayers
on fixed incomes whose properties have risen sharply in value.

3) What revenue was received for the Auckland International Airport
Shares sold, and would those same shares be worth at 28 September, 2004?

We sold half our airport shares for $190.8m. At the closing price of
$7.20 on 28 September theyd be worth about $250 million. However its
important to also note that for the same period we've saved $51.9m in
interest because of our decision to clear the citys net debt which the
2001/2002 Annual Plan forecast to peak at $371 million in 2003/2004.

4) You have publicly stated that Auckland City in 2001 was in a state of
desperate financial crisis to justify your decision to appoint Bill
Birch in a non contested consultant position to review council services.
What was the Standard and Poors credit rating for the Auckland City
Council in October 2001 and did you receive any advice from the Finance
Director David Rankin of a financial crisis?

We called for an expenditure review because we wanted to find savings of
at least $25 million over the three period, and have achieved this. The
review was instrumental in eliminating the councils projected debt and
what would have been large rate increases to service it. In October
2001Standard and Poors rating was A1+. As of September 22 2004 our
rating was AA+.

5) What was the justification for and the total amount of expenditure on
the extravagant opening of Britomart?

The justification for spending $97,000 over two months on four very
special ceremonies and the production of a commemorative booklet, was
simply that Britomart is the largest transport, urban renewal and
heritage project ever undertaken by a local authority in New Zealand. It
was a historic time that deserved celebrating. The public open day,
which attracted 35,000 Auckland citizens, has helped lift train
patronage.

Questions from Dick Hubbard

1) The Mayor's job is to capture the spirit of the community and ensure
that his Council responds to that? What have you done to demonstrate
this?

I am capturing the spirit of Auckland through action-based leadership.
The community elected me to get on and fix the much-talked about
problems - gridlock traffic and public transport. I want our
infrastructure to help us compete with Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
as an enjoyable place to work, live and visit. As Auckland's cheerleader
I strive to represent our city's 181 ethnic groups. My council captured
the spirit of our community by being a major supporter of AK03. We
remain committed to the festival.

2) What other assets of Auckland City other than airport shares would
you sell?

With the city now enjoying zero net debt, there is no intention to sell
any further assets. However if we are to secure significant public open
space at the bottom of the city - from Queens Wharf to Wynyard Point -
for our great grandchildren to enjoy in what will undoubtedly be a more
densely populated city, we may need to again readjust our asset
portfolio.

3) Auckland has the largest number of wooden period villas in the world.
Why do we have a situation where we need Council permission to renovate
a villa but no Council permission to demolish one?

We must change our district plan to rectify this. The good news is
council recently approved the allocation of $180,000 for the review of
our special character residential zones - 1 and 2b. This was in response
to valid concerns raised by residents in Herne Bay. I am committed to
ensuring our city grows yet still retains its essential character.

4) Why did you choose not to join Auckland City up to the national job
creation programme (Mayors Taskforce for Jobs) in which most other
Mayors around the country are part of?

Unemployment has more than halved in the past three years under my
leadership. Work and Income figures show unemployment benefit numbers in
Auckland City dropped from 12,712 to 6,174 in the three years to July
2004.

The best job creation programme that the city has is commercial and
infrastructural development that creates real sustainable employment,
through investment and growth.

5) What job will you take up if you don't become Mayor?

I am 110% focused on completing the task that the citizens of Auckland
asked me to get underway three years ago. The action has started and
this city is a better place than it was three years ago. You can witness
this as you move around. We need a mandate to continue to move Auckland
forward. It was never a one-term project and I have no other plans.


CHRISTINE FLETCHER

Questions from John Banks

1) I stand for a debt-free City with any rate rises kept below
inflation. Do you, if not, why not?

I question what Mr Banks means by debt-free. It is a red herring.
Setting the citys infrastructure right is going to cost the public of
the city what ever way it is funded, whether its rates, taxes, special
loans, tolls, or private funding mechanisms. We need to consider
affordability of services and transport infrastructure for all, and for
future generations. We only appear to be debt free because Mr Banks sold
the airport shares that along with Ports of Auckland are the crown
jewels of Auckland. Already those shares are worth considerably more
than when they were sold. I cannot support a rating regime that
transfers the real costs onto those on fixed incomes and senior
citizens, under the disguise of annual user charges which sees the real
increase in rates dramatically above the rate of inflation.

2) You say that Auckland needs a return to the rapid transit plan that
the region's mayors rejected in 2001 as too costly. Will Auckland
ratepayers be asked to pay for this?

The above ground tram based light rail option is cheaper than the
current council proposal to underground the heavy rail funded by heavy
road pricing/tolls. International evidence shows successful competitive
cities like Melbourne, Portland and Vancouver have reaped major benefits
by investing in light rail because both tourists and local alike enjoy
using it. As I stated above, improving the citys infrastructure will
cost everyone in Auckland, it is a question of what method of funding is
fair.

3) I am committed to completing Auckland's motorway network and fixing
traffic gridlock. Are you?

I too am committed to fixing gridlock, but our solutions differ. I am in
favour of completing the regionally agree Land Transport Strategy
including connecting the Southwestern Motorway to the North Western
Motorway (SH20). The Eastern Motorway, which is neither regionally or
nationally agreed, will only add to congestion and not solve the
problem.

4) I practice action-based leadership aimed at getting results. What
exactly is your leadership style to help move Auckland forward?

Unlike the Banks mayoralty, I chaired the Mayoral Forum and achieved
unity with the other mayors to put in place the largest single contract
carried out by a local authority - the Britomart. I demonstrated that
even with a divided Council an inclusive mayor can move Auckland
forward.

5) Are you a champion for Auckland hosting the "V8" street race? If not,
why not?

Auckland needs international events, including the Volvo yacht race
stopover that Mr Banks lost. It brought profile and wealth to Auckland.
Let's use the Viaduct Harbour to host boat shows and host sailing
regattas that reflect our status as the city of sails. The V8 race is in
the wrong place at the wrong time.

Questions from Dick Hubbard

1) Why do you refer to John Banks' "driving the city to bankruptcy" with
the Eastern Corridor when he is proposing to fund it privately?

It will be the ratepayers of Auckland who will carry the risk for this
project that has to date been dealt with behind closed doors without
full disclosure. It does not stack up environmentally, socially or
financially. Private providers will still end up asking the citizens of
Auckland to pay one way or another. Since when did a city ever get
anything for nothing?

2) Which of the 16 "pick and mix" policies from your original campaign
flyer have you chosen?

These key 16 policies have been taken from my full website
www.chrisfletcher.org.nz. I stand by all of them.

3) You have referred to the state of the volcanic cones in Auckland,
particularly Maungawhau (Mt Eden). What is your solution to the problem
and what will it cost?

Mangawhau is suffering from extreme overuse with over one million
visitors annually. What is needed is a state of the art
visitor/information centre at the base and the removal of heavy bus
access to the summit. Low impact access to the summit should remain for
locals and visitors alike but on a managed basis to avoid further
ecological deterioration. The protection plan for this icon will cost $6
million, interestingly the same amount Mr Banks has spent putting sand
on Kohimaramara beach.

4) A Mayor has to work with everyone. In your opening campaign speech
you spoke of a problem you had working with Bruce Hucker. Could you work
with him again on Council?

Yes, I will work with anyone the voters elect. As an independent mayor I
would wish to work with a Deputy Mayor who would stand by their
principles, demonstrates reliability, and not deviate from agreements or
policies.

5) What job will you take up if you don't become Mayor?

Patronising question - I am focused on winning this campaign but I am
developing an interest in producing GE Free cereal.
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